The juicy chicken pieces, still crackling with residual lightning, were neatly arranged in the earthenware pot. Kai continued seamlessly, forming hand seals for a fire jutsu.
"Fire Release: Heavenly Fire Palm!"
Flames erupted from his palm, engulfing the pot in a fiery burst. The pot instantly boiled, the sizzling chicken filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma. Golden chicken fat dripped from the meat, turning it a rich golden brown.
Kai swiftly moved his spatula, adding three essential seasonings: soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine.
Normally, three cups of each would suffice, but with so much chicken, Kai increased the quantities.
The sizzling intensified as Kai stirred the chicken with the ginger and scallions, the aromas blending perfectly.
The soy sauce added flavor, the sesame oil enhanced the fragrance. The chicken and ginger and scallions were stir-fried until fragrant.
Kai expertly used his spatula to create a small space in the center of the pot, draining the juices. He added pre-prepared rice noodles and basil. With a flourish, he covered the pot.
The seamless blend of culinary skill and jutsu was mesmerizing, the tantalizing aroma filling the air. Everyone swallowed hard.
"Four-Tails, your peeled bananas are getting cold," Kai said, noticing the Four-Tails staring, mouth agape, at the chicken, its banana already crushed.
"Ah!" The Four-Tails snapped back to reality, shoving the banana in its mouth. "Delicious! Bananas are the best!" Its eyes, however, remained fixed on the three-cup chicken.
The Three-Tails rolled its eyes, abandoning its banter. "Boss, can we eat yet?"
The others struggled to maintain their composure, their anticipation palpable.
Kai sighed. "We're missing one crucial step: the drenching!"
Drenching?
Everyone was puzzled. The chicken was already cooked.
But before they could ponder, Kai produced a special bottle of rice wine, pouring it around the edge of the pot lid.
A pale blue flame ignited, enveloping the lid, blending the wine's aroma with the savory chicken. Kai sealed the edges with a clean towel, trapping the aromas within.
The sounds of swallowing intensified. After a moment, steam billowed from under the lid. Kai removed the towel, lifting the lid to reveal the golden-brown chicken.
The rice wine, seasonings, chicken, noodles, and basil had melded into a perfect harmony. A fragrant breeze carried the intoxicating aroma throughout the forest.
The Three-Tails drooled, forming a small river. The Four-Tails also had a river of lava forming beneath it; its remaining banana was crushed. The others had already swallowed their saliva.
"Let's eat!" Kai said, rubbing his nose.
The Three-Tails, leading the charge, vanished in a blur. Hidan and Kakuzu, having experienced Kai's cooking, immediately joined the fray.
Zabuza watched, his face darkening. He regretted eating the energy pills. He saw Kisame using Samehada to slice himself.
Samehada absorbed chakra and stamina. To quickly empty his stomach, he needed this.
"Kisame, let me borrow Samehada," Zabuza said.
"Get lost! I've only made three cuts. You can borrow it when I'm skin and bones."
Chaos erupted as Kisame and Zabuza joined the feast. Only the Four-Tails stared longingly at its crushed banana.
"Bananas aren't good?" Kai asked with a gentle smile.
The Four-Tails snapped back to reality, wishing it could slap itself. It had to maintain its dignity. It grabbed a banana and ate it, peel and all.
"These bananas are delicious! I won't give you any," the Four-Tails mumbled, its heart breaking as it watched the others devour the chicken.
The difference in treatment between tailed beasts was striking. If given another chance, the Four-Tails would reject the bananas.
"Here's your share. Hurry up, or I'm not sharing," Kai said, joining the feast.
The Four-Tails almost cried, rushing toward the food.
"Damn monkey, go eat your bananas! Don't use that extra tail to sneak away!"
"Hey, that chicken is mine! Boss, get rid of the monkey! I'll kill ten for a piece of chicken!"
"Boss, I'll kill twenty!"
"Monkey, you're calling the Boss more affectionately than me! Your dignity is on the floor!"
"Kisame, lend me Samehada! I need to make room for more!"
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